Ilia Topuria Warns Charles Oliveira About Involving his Son Ahead of UFC 317 Super Fight

UFC lightweight contender Ilia Topuria gives personal suggestions to opponent Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 317.

Ilia Topuria Warns Charles Oliveira About Involving his Son Ahead of UFC 317 Super Fight

Ilia Topuria believes Charles Oliveira shouldn't bring his kids to the fight business (via X)

The stage is perfectly set for one of UFC’s most highly anticipated fights featuring Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. UFC 317 will headline this thrilling lightweight bout at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this coming Saturday. Topuria has confidently predicted to crush Oliveira’s championship dreams.

Given his recent dominant performances, Topuria enters as the betting favorite, expected to secure a knockout victory soon. The former lightweight champion remains unfazed by underdog status and has promised his seven-month-old son the championship belt. In a candid interview with Jon-Bernard Kairouz, Topuria warned Oliveira to keep personal matters separate from the brutal realities of fighting.

That’s why I don’t like to promise to my kids those kinds of things. He doesn’t have to involve his kids in professional things, because he’s gonna have to break his heart.

Fighters often involve their families on fight nights, hoping to share victories but sometimes facing heartbreaking defeats instead. For instance, Kamaru Usman‘s daughter infamously cried after his knockout loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278, a moment that touched fans. Similarly, Israel Adesanya mocked Alex Pereira’s son after knocking ‘Poatan’ out, recalling when the boy had playfully trolled him years before.

However, Oliveira is a proud family man who often says he fights to build a better life for his loved ones. He has tattoos of his father, mother, and daughter Tayla on his chest, symbolizing his deep commitment to his family forever. The fighter frequently shares that his greatest motivation inside the Octagon is making his daughter proud and securing their happiness.

Nevertheless, Topuria’s greatest strength remains his incredible knockout power, which has finished elite opponents like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Oliveira’s tendency to absorb significant strikes could prove extremely dangerous against a powerful, accurate striker like the ‘El Matador.’ The Georgian-Spanish fighter confidently predicted he would land a brutal knockout shot early.

Charles Oliveira is confident about winning against Ilia Topuria

Charles Oliveira’s short but impressive title run saw him defeat elite fighters like Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in thrilling fashion. His rise earned him a massive global fan following, inspired by his perseverance, humble beginnings, and incredible comeback story in the UFC. Oliveira holds the record for the most finishes in UFC history, showcasing his unmatched submission skills and dangerous striking ability.

Charles Oliveira promises to defeat Ilia Topuria
Charles Oliveira promises to defeat Ilia Topuria (via X)

This wealth of experience, combined with his composure in high-pressure fights, could be crucial against Ilia Topuria’s aggressive, knockout-heavy style. While the ‘El Matador’ represents the new generation of all-round fighters, the veteran is confident about his knowledge. At the recent UFC 317 media day, ‘Do Bronx’ shared his opinion on the fight.

In reality, everyone knows what’s gonna happen. It’s another dude that’s talking that’s gonna fold in front of me. It’s the experience, it’s the growth, it’s the evolution. I’ve gotten better. It’s having the thirst, it’s having the hunger, it’s continuing to dream and wanting this, and that has changed. It’s just gotten better and better and better. And for all those people that say this, continue to say it. It doesn’t matter. I’m not gonna stop.

If Oliveira wins, he will make history as the first UFC lightweight to capture the prestigious title twice in his career. For Topuria, winning the belt would secure his second UFC championship, further cementing his rising legacy inside the Octagon.